Elevator

ABSTRACT

An elevator comprising an elevator body secured to a building structure and provided with a winder for winding a plurality of suspenders, and an elevating/lowering section being suspended to move freely up and down by the plurality of suspenders led out from the suspender outlet of the elevator body. The elevator further comprises a tension adjuster for substantially equalizing the tensions of respective suspenders by acting on the respective suspenders located between the suspender outlet of the elevator body and the winder. The elevating/lowering section can be moved up and down in a stabilized attitude and safety is enhanced against cutting and dropping of the suspenders.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an elevator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, there is an elevator that is provided with an applianceattached at a high altitude and a drum for suspending anelevating/lowering section of this appliance by independent two and moresuspenders and winding each of suspenders, which elevator elevates andlowers the apparatus in accordance with rotation of the drum. Forexample, in JP-UM-A-6-28913, an elevator having a pair of long drumsprovided with a driving mechanism respectively and a lighting fixtureprovided with a differential mechanism, in which winding a wire ropefrom each drum on one pulley in the differential mechanism in a U-shapeand winding a wire rope from each drum on the other pulley in thedifferential mechanism in an X-shape, a rotation direction of each drumis controlled so as to make elevation and lowering and rotation of thelight fixture possible. Thus, in a structure for suspending theelevating/lowering section of the appliance by the independent two andmore suspenders of the elevator, it is necessary to make a length ofeach suspender approximately equal in order to elevate and lower theelevating/lowering section while keeping it approximately horizontal.

However, due to variance of a measurement of each part such as theelevating/lowering section and the drum or the like, it is difficult tomake the length of each suspender approximately equal and theelevating/lowering section declines. Therefore, it is difficult toelevate and lower the elevating/lowering section safely in a stabilizedattitude. In addition, in order to evade such a problem, sometimes astructure for suspending the elevating/lowering section by one suspenderis adopted, however, as compared to the structure for suspending theelevating/lowering section by two and more suspenders, tension acting onone suspender is larger and this involves a problem such that safety isdecreased.

In addition, according to the above-described elevator, theelevating/lowering section may turn over. Therefore, a tag suspended bya long string is attached to the elevating/lowering section so as tomake it visible that the elevating/lowering section turns over and toturn back the elevating/lowering section when it turns over.

However, in this case, this involves a problem such that it is difficultto know twisting of a belt suspender even if the elevating/loweringsection suspended by two belt suspenders turns over while lowering. Inaddition, if the elevating/lowering section elevates as turning over andis fit with the apparatus, it is feared that the belt suspender isdamaged since it is twisted. Therefore, it is preferable that theelevating/lowering section is structured so as not to turn over whilelowering.

In addition, a shaft to support a pair of right and left winders in theelevator is supported to rotate freely by a sliding bearing. The slidingbearing is formed in such a manner that a bearing fitting concaveportion is formed on a bearing table and an acceptance part throughwhich the shaft is inserted is formed on this bearing fitting concaveportion. In other words, as shown in FIG. 18, a bearing fitting concaveportion 41′ is formed on a bearing table 31′ to support a slidingbearing 32′ and a sliding bearing 32′ having an acceptance portion 51′formed on a center thereof is fit in the bearing fitting concave portion41′.

However, since the bearing fitting concave portion 41′ and the bearingtable 31′ to be formed on the bearing table 31′ is formed by machineprocessing so as to be made in a circle as seen from an axial direction,a fitting portion of the bearing table 31′ and the sliding bearing 32′is made a curved surface so that measuring of the fitting portionbecomes difficult, and a fine accuracy of measuring is needed and thismakes management of measuring difficult.

In addition, the sliding baring is cheaper than a rolling bearing,however, there is a gap between the shaft and the bearing so that aforeign matter such as dust gets mixed therein and a rotation efficiencytends to be deteriorated. As a result, such a sliding bearing cannot beused in an adverse environment that dust is floating in air.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide anelevator capable of elevating and lowering in a stabilized attitudewhile keeping an elevating/lowering section substantially horizontal byproviding a structure for absorbing a difference of a length even ifthere is a difference in the length of each independent suspender.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an elevator forpreventing the elevating/lowering section from turning over whilelowering and a belt suspender from being twisted.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an elevator, whichcan make a fitting portion of a bearing table and a sliding bearing intoa plane surface in the sliding bearing to be used for a rotational shaftof a winder so as to improve accuracy of measuring and accuracy ofmanagement of measuring and which also can be used in an adverseenvironment that dust or the like is floating in air.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present inventiondescribed in claim 1 may provide an elevator comprising an elevator bodysecured to a building structure and provided with a winder for winding aplurality of suspenders, and an elevating/lowering section beingsuspended to move freely up and down by the plurality of suspenders ledout from the suspender outlet of the elevator body; wherein the elevatorfurther comprises a tension adjuster for substantially equalizing thetensions of respective suspenders by acting on the respective suspenderslocated between the suspender outlet of the elevator body and thewinder.

Thus, since the elevator is provided with the tension adjuster forsubstantially equalizing the tensions of respective suspenders by actingon the respective suspenders located between the suspender outlet of theelevator body and the winder, when there is a difference of a length ineach suspender, the largest tension acts on a shorter suspender,however, the tension adjuster functions so as to ease up this tension.Therefore, it is possible to hold the elevating/lowering sectionsubstantially horizontally by independent plural suspenders withoutinclination. As a result, the elevating/lowering section can be moved upand down in a stabilized attitude and safety is enhanced against cuttingand dripping of the suspenders.

According to an elevator described in claim 2 as in the elevator ofclaim 1, the tension adjuster is provided with a change-direction memberfor changing a direction of the suspender to move freely for eachsuspender between the suspender outlet of the elevator body and thewinder, and a spring body with a substantially equal spring constant foradding a return force corresponding to the movement of eachchange-direction member thereto, respectively.

Thus, since the tension adjuster is provided with a change-directionmember for changing a direction of the suspender to move freely for eachsuspender between the suspender outlet of the elevator body and thewinder, and a spring body with a substantially equal spring constant foradding a return force corresponding to the movement of eachchange-direction member thereto, respectively; the spring body holdingthe change-direction member of the shorter suspender bends, so thatthere is no difference of the length of the suspender in appearance anda suspension attitude of the elevating/lowering section is keptsubstantially horizontal.

According to an elevator described in claim 3 as in the elevator ofclaim 1, there are two suspenders, the tension adjuster is provided witha change-direction member for changing a direction of the suspender foreach suspender between the suspender outlet of the elevator body and thewinder, and the change-direction members of respective suspenders unitedinto one body by the same shaft is provided with a support member forsupporting the shaft to swing freely with a center portion between thechange-direction members of this shaft as a supporting point.

Thus, since there are two suspenders, the tension adjuster is providedwith a change-direction member for changing a direction of the suspenderfor each suspender between the suspender outlet of the elevator body andthe winder, and the change-direction members of respective suspendersunited into one body by the same shaft is provided with a support memberfor supporting the shaft to swing freely with a center portion betweenthe change-direction members of this shaft as a supporting point, whenthere is a difference of a length in the two suspenders, the tensions ofthe suspenders are different, so that the shaft is inclined like aseesaw to intend to keep the tensions equal respectively. Thereby, thereis no difference of the lengths of the two suspenders in appearance andthe suspension attitude of the elevating/lowering section is keptsubstantially horizontal.

According to an elevator described in claim 4 as in the elevator ofclaim 1, there are two suspenders, a first change-direction member forchanging the direction of the suspender between the suspender outlet ofthe elevator body and the winder is provided, the tension adjustercomprises second change-direction members located between the firstchange-direction member and the winder, which change the direction ofthe suspender and are united into one body each other by the same shaft,and a support member for supporting the shaft to swing freely with acenter portion between the second change-direction members of the shaftas a supporting point.

Thus, since there are two suspenders, a first change-direction memberfor changing the direction of the suspender between the suspender outletof the elevator body and the winder is provided, the tension adjustercomprises second change-direction members located between the firstchange-direction member and the winder, which change the direction ofthe suspender and are united into one body each other by the same shaft,and a support member for supporting the shaft to swing freely with acenter portion between the second change-direction members of the shaftas a supporting point, when there is a difference of a length in the twosuspenders, the tensions of the suspenders are different, the shaftuniting the second change-direction members into one unit is inclinedlike a seesaw to intend to keep the tensions equal respectively.Thereby, there is no difference of the lengths of the two suspenders inappearance and the suspension attitude of the elevating/lowering sectionis kept substantially horizontal. In addition, by providing the shaft toswing freely between the suspender and the change-direction member, loadacting on the shaft becomes a divided force of the tension of thesuspender, so that a force is weak and the intense shaft strength is notneeded, and this makes it possible to lower a cost of the parts.

According to an elevator described in claim 5 as in the elevator ofclaim 4, the second change-direction member is provided with a springbody, which is movably provided in an opposite direction of a supportside of the support member and which applies a force to the oppositedirection of the support side of the support member together with theshaft; and the second change-direction member is further provided with aswitch operating as abutting against the shaft when the tension of thesuspender is made small and the second change-direction member moveswith the force of the spring body applied thereto so as to stop windingoff of the suspender from the suspender by this switch.

Thus, since the second change-direction member is provided with a springbody, which is movably provided in an opposite direction of a supportside of the support member and which applies a force to the oppositedirection of the support side of the support member together with theshaft; and the second change-direction member is further provided with aswitch operating as abutting against the shaft when the tension of thesuspender is made small and the second change-direction member moveswith the force of the spring body applied thereto so as to stop windingoff of the suspender from the suspender by this switch, when winding thesuspender into the winder with a light load acting on theelevating/lowering section, the appropriate tension is applied to thesuspender and this makes it possible to stably wind the suspender intight.

According to an elevator described in claim 6 as in the elevator ofclaim 4, in the first change-direction member, the shaft is held to movefreely by a spring body to apply a force to the opposite direction ofthe side pressed by the tension of the suspender; and the firstchange-direction member is provided with a switch operating as abuttingagainst the shaft when a force more than a set tension is applied to thesuspender and the shaft pushes down the spring body to move the springbody so as to stop winding of the suspender into the winder by thisswitch.

Thus, since in the first change-direction member, the shaft is held tomove freely by a spring body to apply a force to the opposite directionof the side pressed by the tension of the suspender; and the firstchange-direction member is provided with a switch operating as abuttingagainst the shaft when a force more than a set tension is applied to thesuspender and the shaft pushes down the spring body to move the springbody so as to stop winding of the suspender into the winder by thisswitch, moving up and down is stopped and it is possible to preventwinding of the suspender when a load is excessively given. In addition,by using the apparatus for stopping excess load as a detection mechanismfor stopping the elevating/lowering section when it is fit in theelevator body, it is possible to make a suspender winding pressure ofthe winder intense when the elevating/lowering section is fit in theelevator body and the elevating/lowering section can be held withoutloose.

According to an elevator described in claim 7 as in the elevator ofclaim 3, the change-direction member has a rotating body rotating withthe shaft inserted therethrough, and a shaft inserted portion of therotating body is shaped in a taper so that its diameter is the smallestat the substantial center portion and the diameter becomes graduallylarger toward the opposite sides.

Thus, since the change-direction member has a rotating body rotatingwith the shaft inserted therethrough, and a shaft inserted portion ofthe rotating body is shaped in a taper so that its diameter is thesmallest at the substantial center portion and the diameter becomesgradually larger toward the opposite sides, the change-direction memberis inclined in an opposite direction with respect to inclination of theshaft. Therefore, the rotating body is inclined in an opposite directionagainst the inclination of the shaft, so that it is possible to pass thesuspender while being winded on the rotating body in a stabilizedattitude.

According to an elevator described in claim 8 as in the elevator ofclaim 4, the second change-direction member has a rotating body rotatingwith the shaft inserted therethrough, and a shaft inserted portion ofthe rotating body is shaped in a taper so that its diameter is thesmallest at the substantial center portion and the diameter becomesgradually larger toward the opposite sides.

Thus, since the second change-direction member has a rotating bodyrotating with the shaft inserted therethrough, and a shaft insertedportion of the rotating body is shaped in a taper so that its diameteris the smallest at the substantial center portion and the diameterbecomes gradually larger toward the opposite sides, the change-directionmember is inclined in an opposite direction with respect to inclinationof the shaft. Therefore, the rotating body is inclined in an oppositedirection against the inclination of the shaft, so that it is possibleto pass the suspender while being winded on the rotating body in astabilized attitude.

According to an elevator described in claim 9 as in the elevator ofclaim 1, the two suspenders are two belts and the elevator is providedwith a jumping-out prevention member for preventing each suspender fromjumping out to the outside of the elevating/lowering section when theelevating/lowering section turns over in a direction to wind these twosuspenders.

Thus, since the above-described change-direction member is provided, andthe elevator is provided with a jumping-out prevention member forpreventing each suspender from jumping out to the outside of theelevating/lowering section when the elevating/lowering section turnsover in a direction to wind these two suspenders, it is possible toevade the case that the elevating/lowering section is fit with theelevator body when the elevating/lowering section turns over and thebelt suspender moves up as twisted. Therefore, the elevating/loweringsection can move up and down in a stabilized attitude, safety isenhanced against cutting and dropping of the suspenders, the beltsuspender is not damaged, and the strength of the suspender is kept, sothat it is possible to suspend the elevating/lowering section safely.

According to an elevator described in claim 10 as in the elevator ofclaim 9, the jumping-out prevention member comprises a wall body that isdisposed along the side surface at the outside of a suspender attachedportion for attaching the suspender of the elevating/lowering section.

Thus, since the jumping-out prevention member comprises a wall body thatis disposed along the side surface at the outside of a suspenderattached portion for attaching the belt suspender of theelevating/lowering section, when the elevating/lowering section nearlyturns over, the belt suspender is prevented from running out and jumpingout laterally from the elevating/lowering section by the wall body andtwist of the belt suspender is also prevented.

According to an elevator described in claim 11 as in the elevator ofclaim 9, the jumping-out prevention member comprises a bar member thatis arranged in a substantially horizontal direction at the outside ofthe suspender attached portion for attaching the suspender of theelevating/lowering section.

Thus, since the jumping-out prevention member comprises a bar memberthat is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction at the outsideof the suspender attached portion for attaching the suspender of theelevating/lowering section, when the elevating/lowering section nearlyturns over, the belt suspender is prevented from running out and jumpingout laterally from the elevating/lowering section by the bar member andtwist of the belt suspender is also prevented.

According to an elevator described in claim 12 as in the elevator ofclaim 9, the jumping-out prevention member comprises a bar member thatis arranged in a substantially vertical direction at the outside of thesuspender attached portion for attaching the suspender of theelevating/lowering section.

Thus, since the jumping-out prevention member comprises a bar memberthat is arranged in a substantially vertical direction at the outside ofthe suspender attached portion for attaching the suspender of theelevating/lowering section, the belt suspender is prevented from runningout and jumping out laterally from the elevating/lowering section by thebar member and twist of the belt suspender is also prevented.

According to an elevator described in claim 13 as in the elevator ofclaim 1, a bearing fitting concave portion opening upward is formed on abearing table to be used as a rotating shaft of the winder; a slidingbearing portion forming an acceptance portion through which the rotatingshaft is inserted is fit in the bearing fitting concave portion; and asliding bearing for securing the sliding bearing portion fit in thebearing fitting concave portion from the upper part therein by a coverportion is mounted; wherein the bearing fitting concave portion and thesliding bearing portion are formed in a multiangular as viewed from anaxial direction.

Thus, since the above-described tension adjuster is provided and thesliding bearing portion is configured as described above, theelevating/lowering section can move up and down in a stabilizedattitude, safety is enhanced against cutting and dropping of thesuspenders, and it is possible to make a fitting portion of the bearingtable and the sliding bearing portion (namely, the outer surface of thesliding bearing portion and the inner surface of the bearing fittingconcave portion of the bearing table) not into a curved surface but intoa flat surface. As a result, accuracy of measuring and accuracy ofmanagement of measuring are improved.

According to an elevator described in claim 14 as in the elevator ofclaim 13, a projection part to be welded with pressure downward on anupper end portion of the sliding bearing portion by a cover portion isprovided at a place evading the rotating shaft as viewed from a flatplane.

Thus, since the sliding bearing portion is configured as describedabove, it is possible to reliably and strongly put and fix the slidingbearing portion between the bearing table and the cover portion.

According to an elevator described in claim 15 as in the elevator ofclaim 14, the plural projection parts are linearly provided insubstantially parallel.

Thus, since the sliding bearing portion is configured as describedabove, it is possible to reduce deformation of the acceptance portionand lowering of a rotation efficiency of the rotating shaft can beprevented. Further, a fixing force is obtained at the both right andleft sides, so that the sliding bearing portion can be safely fixed.

According to an elevator described in claim 16 as in the elevator ofclaim 13, a concave portion opening to the side is formed at both endsin the axial direction and across the entire periphery of the acceptanceportion of the sliding bearing portion, and a filter for preventing dustis provided on the concave portion so as to closely contact the rotatingshaft.

Thus, since the sliding bearing portion is configured as describedabove, no foreign matter gets mixed in the acceptance portion of thesliding bearing, so that it is possible to hold the rotating shaftstably for a long period of time.

According to an elevator described in claim 17 as in the elevator ofclaim 9, a bearing fitting concave portion opening upward is formed on abearing table to be used as a rotating shaft of the winder; a slidingbearing portion forming an acceptance portion through which the rotatingshaft is inserted is fit in the bearing fitting concave portion; and asliding bearing for securing the sliding bearing portion fit in thebearing fitting concave portion from the upper part therein by a coverportion is mounted; wherein the bearing fitting concave portion and thesliding bearing portion are formed in a multiangular as viewed from anaxial direction.

Thus, the above-described tension adjustor and jumping-out preventionmember are provided and the sliding bearing portion is configured asdescribed above, the elevating/lowering section can be moved up and downin a stabilized attitude, safety is enhanced against cutting anddripping of the suspenders, the strength of the suspender is kept withno damage on the belt suspender, and the elevating/lowering section canbe suspended safely. In addition, it is possible to make a fittingportion of the bearing table and the sliding bearing portion (namely,the outer surface of the sliding bearing portion and the inner surfaceof the bearing fitting concave portion of the bearing table) not into acurved surface but into a flat surface. As a result, accuracy ofmeasuring and accuracy of management of measuring are improved.

According to an elevator described in claim 18 as in the elevator ofclaim 17, a projection part to be welded with pressure downward on anupper end portion of the sliding bearing portion by a cover portion isprovided at a place evading the rotating shaft as viewed from a flatplane.

Thus, since the sliding bearing portion is configured as describedabove, it is possible to reliably and strongly put and fix the slidingbearing portion between the bearing table and the cover portion.

According to an elevator described in claim 19 as in the elevator ofclaim 18, the plural projection parts are linearly provided insubstantially parallel.

Thus, since the sliding bearing portion is configured as describedabove, it is possible to reduce deformation of the acceptance portionand lowering of a rotation efficiency of the rotating shaft can beprevented. Further, a fixing force is obtained at the both right andleft sides, so that the sliding bearing portion can be safely fixed.

According to an elevator described in claim 20 as in the elevator ofclaim 17, a concave portion opening to the side is formed at both endsin the axial direction and across the entire periphery of the acceptanceportion of the sliding bearing portion, and a filter for preventing dustis provided on the concave portion so as to closely contact the rotatingshaft.

Thus, since the sliding bearing portion is configured as describedabove, no foreign matter gets mixed in the acceptance portion of thesliding bearing, so that it is possible to hold the rotating shaftstably for a long period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration showing an elevator according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an entire side view showing the elevator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the elevatoraccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual illustration showing an elevator according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a change-direction member shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a substantial part perspective view showing an elevatoraccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a substantial part explanatory view showing an elevatoraccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a substantial part explanatory view showing an elevatoraccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the operation of an elevatoraccording to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the elevatoraccording to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an elevating/lowering section ofan elevator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an elevating/lowering section ofan elevator according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a sliding bearing of anelevator according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the sliding bearing of the elevator shownin FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a sliding bearing of anelevator according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the sliding bearing of the elevator shownin FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing a shaft supportingstructure of a winder of the elevator of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic sectional view showing a sliding bearing of aconventional elevator.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

At first, with reference to the drawings, the embodiment(s) mainlyrelated to a tension adjuster will be described below. FIG. 1 is aconceptual illustration showing an elevator according to a firstembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an entire side viewshowing the elevator shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory viewshowing the operation of the elevator according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an elevator body 1 secured to a buildingstructure is provided with a winder 3 for winding a plurality ofsuspenders 2 and an elevating/lowering section 5 is suspended to movefreely up and down by the plurality of suspenders 2 led out from asuspender outlet 4 of the elevator body 1. In this case, the pluralityof suspenders 2 is made of a thin plate steel shaped like a belt. Thewinder 3 comprises a drum for winding or winding off the suspender 2 andthe winder 3 is provided corresponding to the number of the suspenders2. In this structure, a tension adjuster 6 for substantially equalizingthe tensions of respective suspenders 2 by acting on the respectivesuspenders 2 located between the suspender outlet 4 of the elevator body1 and the winder 3 is provided.

The tension adjuster 6 is configured in such a manner that achange-direction member 7 for changing a direction of the suspender 2 isprovided to move freely at least in a direction of elevating andlowering of the elevating/lowering section 5 for each suspender 2, andthe change-direction member 7 is provided with a spring body 8 with asubstantially equal spring constant for adding a return forcecorresponding to the movement of each change-direction member 7 thereto,respectively.

The change-direction member 7 comprises a pulley 7 a that is supportedaround a shaft 7 b to move freely. In this case, two suspenders 2 arewinded off from respective winders 3 to lead to the both ends of theelevating/lowering section 5 via the pulley 7 a to change the directionof the suspender 2 downward. In addition, respective shaft 7 b to holdthe pulley 7 a is held by the spring body 8 having a prescribed force.The spring body 8 is a compression coil spring arranged so as to holdthe both ends of the shaft 7 b and its one end is secured to the shaft 7b and other end thereof is secured to a region of the elevator body 1.The elevator body 1 has a concave portion 9 for housing theelevating/lowering section 5 at a position facing to the suspenderoutlet 4. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, an outline part 1 a providedwith the winder 3 and the tension adjuster 6 or the like of the elevatorbody 1 is held by an arm part 1 b and this arm part 1 b is secured to abolt 11 embedded in a ceiling 10 as a building structure.

In the next place, the operation of the elevator body provided with theabove-described tension adjuster 6 will be described below. As shown inFIG. 3, when there is a difference of a length in each suspender 2, themost intense tension acts on the shorter suspender 2 and the tensionadjuster 6 functions so as to ease up this tension. In other words, thespring body 8 holding the shaft 7 b of the pulley 7 a with the shortsuspender 2 bends the most, so that there is no difference of the lengthof the suspender 2 in appearance and a suspension attitude of theelevating/lowering section 5 is kept substantially horizontal.

As described above, according to the elevator of the first embodiment,it is possible to hold the elevating/lowering section 5 by theindependent plural suspenders without inclination. As a result, theelevating/lowering section 5 can be moved up and down in a stabilizedattitude and safety is enhanced against cutting and dropping of thesuspender 2. In the meantime, the two and more suspenders 2 may beavailable.

The elevator according to a second embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 below. FIG. 4 is a conceptualillustration showing an elevator according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of achange-direction member 13 of the elevator according to the secondembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the elevator, there are two suspenders 2. Inaddition, a tension adjuster 12 located between the suspender outlet 4of the elevator body 1 and the winder 3 is provided with thechange-direction member 13 for changing the direction of the suspender 2at each suspender 2, and the change-direction member 13 of eachsuspender 2 united into one body by the same shaft 14 is provided with asupport member 15 for supporting the shaft 14 to swing freely with acenter portion between the change-direction members 13 of this shaft 14as a supporting point.

As shown in FIG. 5, the change-direction member 13 is made of a pulley(a rotating body) rotating with the shaft 14 inserted therethrough. Ashaft inserted portion 13 a of this rotating body 13 is shaped in ataper so that its diameter is the smallest at the substantial centerportion and the diameter becomes gradually larger toward the oppositesides. In this case, two suspenders 2 are winded off from respectivewinders 3 to lead to the both ends of the elevating/lowering section 5via the rotating body 13 to change the direction of the suspender 2downward. The rotating body 13 is held by the support member 15 so thatit can be inclined like a seesaw. The support member 15 is secured to aregion of the elevator body 1.

In the next place, the operation of the elevator according to the secondembodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG. 4, if there is adifference of a length in the two suspenders 2, the tensions of thesuspenders 2 are different, so that the shaft 14 of the rotating body 13is inclined like a seesaw to keep the tensions equal respectively.Thereby, there is no difference of the length of the suspender 2 inappearance and a suspension attitude of the elevating/lowering section 5is kept substantially horizontal. According to this embodiment, therotating body 13 is inclined in an opposite direction against theinclination of the shaft 14, so that it is possible to pass thesuspender 2 while being winded on the rotating body 13 in a stabilizedattitude (substantially horizontal attitude). Other structural effectsare the same as the case of the elevator according to the firstembodiment.

An elevator according to a third embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 6 below. FIG. 6 is a substantial part perspective viewshowing the elevator according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 6, there are two suspenders 2 in the elevator. Inaddition, a first change-direction member 16 for changing the directionof the suspender 2 downward between the suspender outlet 4 of theelevator body 1 and the winder 3 is provided. The first change-directionmember 16 comprises a pulley 16 a that is supported around a shaft 16 bto rotate freely. In this case, two pulleys 16 a are united into onebody by one shaft 16 b, however, this shaft 16 b may be provided foreach pulley 16 a.

The tension adjuster 17 comprises second change-direction members 18located between the first change-direction member 16 and the winder 3,which change the direction of the suspender 2 and are united into onebody each other by the same shaft 19, and a support member 20 forsupporting the shaft 19 to swing freely with a center portion betweenthe second change-direction members 18 of the shaft 19 as a supportingpoint. In this case, two suspenders 2 are winded off from respectivewinders 3 to lead to the both ends of the elevating/lowering section 5via the pulley 16 a to change the direction of the suspender 2 downward.Between the winder 3 and the pulley 16 a of the first change-directionmember 16, the tension adjuster 17 is provided, in which the secondchange-direction members 18 are held by a support member 20 so that itcan be inclined by the same shaft 19 like a seesaw. In addition, thesecond change-direction member 18 is a pulley that is structured as sameas the change-direction members shown in FIG. 5 according to the secondembodiment and the second change-direction member 18 abuts against theside opposite to the side, against which the first change-directionmember 16 of the suspender 2 abuts. The support member 20 is secured tothe elevator body 1 to position the shaft 19 so as to prevent the secondchange-direction member 18 from being separated from the suspender 2.

In the next place, the operation of the elevator according to the thirdembodiment will be described below. If there is a difference of a lengthin the two suspenders 2, the tensions of the suspenders 2 are different,so that the tension adjuster 17 is inclined like a seesaw to keep thetensions equal respectively. For example, the intense tension acts onthe shorter suspender 2, so that the second change-direction member 18abutting against this suspender 2 moves upward. In response to this, thesecond change-direction member 18 at the opposite side moves downward,the suspender 2 at the opposite side abutting against this is pulled toabsorb the length of the suspender 2 between the suspender 3 and thesecond change-direction member 18. Thereby, there is no difference ofthe length of the suspender 2 in appearance and a suspension attitude ofthe elevating/lowering section 5 is kept substantially horizontal.According to this embodiment, the pulley 18 is inclined in an oppositedirection against the inclination of the shaft 19, so that it ispossible to pass the suspender 2 while being winded on the pulley 18 ina stabilized attitude (substantially horizontal attitude).

In addition, by providing the shaft 19 to swing freely between thesuspender 3 and the change-direction member 16, a load acting on theshaft 19 becomes a divided force of the tension of the suspender 2, sothat a force is weak and the intense shaft strength is not needed, andthis makes it possible to lower a cost of the parts. Other structuraleffects are the same as the case of the elevator according to the firstembodiment.

In the next place, a structure to make the moving up and down operationmore safe by adding a function to stop winding and winding off of thesuspender 2 while detecting a size of the tension of the suspender 2 toa mechanism for absorbing the length of the suspender 2 is shown infourth and fifth embodiments

The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 7 below. FIG. 7 is a substantial part explanatory viewshowing an elevator according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 7, according to the third embodiment, the secondchange-direction member 18 of the tension adjuster 17 is provided with aspring body 21, which is located in an opposite direction of a supportside of the support member 20 and which applies a force to the oppositedirection of the support side of the support member 20 together with theshaft 19. In other words, the shaft 19 is pulled by the spring body 21to a direction reacting against the tension of the suspender 2. Inaddition, the second change-direction member is further provided with aswitch 22 operating as abutting against the shaft 19 when the tension ofthe suspender 2 is made small and the second change-direction member 18moves with the force of the spring body 21 applied thereto so as to stopwinding off of the suspender from the suspender 3 by this switch 22.

With respect to the above-described elevator, the operation when thereis a difference of the length in the two suspenders 2 is the same as thethird embodiment. In addition, if the tension of the suspender 2 is madesmaller when the elevating/lowering section 5 touches a floor, the shaft19 is moved by the spring body 21 as shown by a chain double-dashed lineto push the switch 22 for stopping winding off of the suspender 2, sothat the moving up and down operation is stopped and the suspender 2 isprevented from excessively winded off.

According to this fourth embodiment, when winding the suspender 2 intothe winder 3 with a light load acting on the elevating/lowering section5, the appropriate tension is applied to the suspender 2 and this makesit possible to stably wind the suspender 2 in tight. Other structuraleffects are the same as the case of the elevator according to the firstembodiment and the third embodiment.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 8 below. FIG. 8 is a substantial part explanatory viewshowing an elevator according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 8, according to the third embodiment, an apparatus forstopping excess load is provided. In other words, in the firstchange-direction member 16, the shaft 16 b is held to move freely by aspring body 23 to apply a force to the opposite direction of the sidepressed by the tension of the suspender 2. In this case, two pulleys 16a of the first change-direction member 16 are united into one body byone shaft 16 b. The opposite ends of this shaft 16 are supported by thespring body 23. In addition, the first change-direction member isprovided with a switch 24 operating as abutting against the shaft 16 bwhen a force more than a set tension is applied to the suspender 2 andthe shaft 16 b pushes down the spring body 23 to move the spring body 23so as to stop winding of the suspender 2 into the winder 3 by thisswitch 24.

With respect to the above-described elevator, the operation when thereis a difference of the length in the two suspenders 2 is the same as thethird embodiment. In addition, if the tension of the suspender 2 is madelarger, the shaft 16 b pushes the spring body 23 and the spring body 23is moved as shown by a chain double-dashed line, so that the switch 24for stopping winding of the suspender 2 is pushed, the moving up anddown operation is stopped and the suspender 2 is prevented fromexcessively winded.

According to this fifth embodiment, by using the apparatus for stoppingexcess load as a detection mechanism for stopping the elevating/loweringsection 5 when it is fit in the elevator body 1, it is possible to makea suspender winding pressure of the winder 3 intense when theelevating/lowering section 5 is fit in the elevator body 1 and theelevating/lowering section 5 can be held without loose. Other structuraleffects are the same as the case of the elevator according to the firstembodiment and the third embodiment.

In the meantime, the present embodiment may be structured so as to havethe both of the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment. In addition,the suspender 2 may be a wire other than a belt.

It is preferable that the elevator according to the present inventionincludes the two suspenders as two belts in addition to theabove-described tension adjuster and that the elevator according to thepresent invention is provided with a jumping-out prevention member forpreventing each suspender from jumping out to the outside when theelevating/lowering section turns over in a direction to wind these twosuspenders. With reference to the drawings, the embodiments with relatedto the elevator with the jumping-out prevention member mainly disposedthereto. At first, a sixth embodiment will be described with referenceto FIGS. 2, 6, 9, and 10. FIG. 2 is an entire side view showing theelevator, and FIG. 6 is a substantial part perspective view includingthe elevating/lowering section.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the elevator body 1 secured to thebuilding structure is provided with the winder 3 of the suspender 2 astwo belts (hereinafter, referred to as a belt suspender 2), and two beltsuspenders 2 led out from the elevator body 1 suspend theelevating/lowering section 5 to move up and down freely. In this case,the two belt suspenders 2 are made of a thin plate steel or the like andthey are led out from the suspender outlet 4 of the elevator body 1 withthe faces in a width direction uniformed. In this structure, ajumping-out prevention member 25 for preventing each suspender 2 fromjumping out to the outside of the elevating/lowering section 5 when theelevating/lowering section turns over in a direction winding two beltsuspenders 2 is provided.

This jumping-out prevention member 25 comprises a wall body that isdisposed along the side surface at the outside of a suspender attachedportion 26 for attaching the belt suspender 2 of the elevating/loweringsection 5. In this case, projection parts 5 a protruding bysubstantially the same measurement as a width of the belt suspender 2are formed at the both sides of the elevating/lowering section 5 and thesuspender attached portion 26 is arranged on this projection part 5 a.In addition, a wall body 25 is formed at the end surface of theprojection part 5 a in a shape of a sword guard. The inner side surfaceof the wall body 25 faces to the side surface of the elevating/loweringsection 5 formed around the projection part 5 a and a space 27 havingthe belt suspender 2 put therein is formed between the inner sidesurface of the wall body 25 and the side surface of theelevating/lowering section 5.

The elevator body 1 has a concave portion (not illustrated) for housingthe elevating/lowering section 5 in a place facing to the suspenderoutlet 4. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the outline part 1 aprovided with the winder 3 of the elevator body 1 or the like is held bythe arm part 1 b and this arm part 1 b is secured to the bolt 11embedded in the ceiling 10 as a building structure. The winder 3comprises a drum for winding or winding off the suspender 2 and twowinders 3 are disposed corresponding to two belt suspenders 2. Inaddition, a direction of the belt suspender 2 is changed between thesuspender outlet 4 of the elevator body 1 and the winder 3.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are explanatory views showing the operation of anelevator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, if the elevating/lowering section 5 nearlyturns over, the belt suspender 2 is prevented from running out andjumping out laterally from the elevating/lowering section 5 by the wallbody 25 and twist of the belt suspender 2 is also prevented. Inaddition, even if the elevating/lowering section 5 turns over and thebelt suspender 2 is winded around the projection part 5 a, theelevating/lowering section 5 is rotated by its own weight and becomesnormal again. Accordingly, it is possible to evade the case that theelevating/lowering section 5 is fit with the elevator body 1 when theelevating/lowering section 5 turns over and the belt suspender 2 movesup as twisted. Therefore, the belt suspender 2 is not damaged and thestrength of the suspender is kept, so that it is possible to suspend theelevating/lowering section 5 safely.

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing anelevating/lowering section of an elevator according to the seventhembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, according to the first embodiment, the jumping-outprevention member comprises a bar (liner) member 29 that is arranged ina substantially horizontal direction at the outside of the suspenderattached portion 26 for attaching the belt suspender 2 of theelevating/lowering section 5. In this case, the bar member 29 isarranged in a substantially orthogonal direction with respect to thesurface in the width direction of the belt suspender 2, and the centerportion of the bar member 29 is secured on the end surface of theelevating/lowering section 5 in the vicinity of the suspender attachedportion 26. In addition, one end side and other end side of the barmember 29 are arranged with facing each other on the side surface of theelevating/lowering section 5 that is formed around the projection parts5 a.

According to this seventh embodiment, if the elevating/lowering section5 nearly turns over, the belt suspender 2 is prevented from running outand jumping out laterally from the elevating/lowering section 5 by thebar member 29 and twist of the belt suspender 2 is also prevented. Inthis case, it is possible to regulate running out of the belt suspender2 at both of one end side and other end side of the bar member 29. Otherstructural effects are the same as the case of the elevator according tothe first embodiment. In the meantime, the both end portions of the barmember 29 may be bent in a rotation direction of the elevating/loweringsection 5.

An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing anelevating/lowering section of an elevator according to the eighthembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the sixth embodiment, the jumping-out preventionmember comprises a bar (linear) member 30 that is arranged in asubstantially vertical direction at the outside of the suspenderattached portion 26 where the belt suspender 2 of the elevating/loweringsection 5 is attached. In this case, the bar member 30 is arranged alonga longitudinal direction of the belt suspender 2, and a bending base endportion of the bar member 30 is secured to the end surface of theprojection parts 5 a in the vicinity of the suspender attached portion26. In addition, the front end side of the bar member 30 is arrangedupward as facing to the end surface of the belt suspender 2.

According to this eighth embodiment, if the elevating/lowering section 5nearly turns over, the belt suspender 2 is prevented from running outand jumping out laterally from the elevating/lowering section 5 by thebar member 30 and twist of the belt suspender 2 is also prevented. Inthis case, since the bar member 30 is always arranged in the vicinity ofthe front end portion of the belt suspender 2, it is possible toeffectively regulate running out of the belt suspender 2. Otherstructural effects are the same as the case of the elevator according tothe first embodiment. In the meantime, the front end portion of the barmember 30 may be bent in a rotation direction of the elevating/loweringsection 5.

In the elevator of the present invention, in addition to theabove-described tension adjuster, further, a bearing fitting concaveportion opening upward is formed on a bearing table to be used as arotating shaft of the winder, a sliding bearing portion forming anacceptance portion through which the rotating shaft is inserted is fitin the bearing fitting concave portion, and the sliding bearing forsecuring the sliding bearing portion fit in the bearing fitting concaveportion from the upper part therein by a cover portion is mounted.

It is preferable that the bearing fitting concave portion and thesliding bearing portion are formed in a multiangular as viewed from anaxial direction. Hereinafter, an elevator having the sliding bearing ofthe present invention mainly with respect to the sliding bearing will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. At first, a ninth embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, and FIG.17.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 17, a pair of right and left winders 3 issupported by one rotating shaft S, and the rotating shaft S is supportedon a pair of baring tables 31 secured on a support plate portion 71 as amember configuring the elevator body 1. On respective bearing tables 31,a sliding bearing A for fitting internally and supporting the rotatingshaft S to rotate freely is provided.

As shown in FIG. 13, the sliding bearing A is configured in such amanner that a bearing fitting concave portion 41 is formed on a bearingtable 31 so as to open upward, a sliding bearing portion 32 forming anacceptance portion 51 through which the rotating shaft S is inserted isfit from the upper part into the bearing fitting concave portion 41, anda cover portion 33 is secured on the bearing table 31 so as to weld thecover portion 33 with pressure.

As shown in FIG. 13, the bearing table 31 is made of aluminumdie-casting that is formed as a wall having a prescribed thickness in anaxial direction. An upper end surface 31 a of the bearing table 31 isformed on a substantially horizontal surface, and on the bearing table31, the bearing fitting concave portion 41 penetrating in the axialdirection and opening upward is formed. The bearing fitting concaveportion 41 is formed in a trapezoid that the right and left width areslightly wider upward as viewed from an axial direction. In addition, inthis bearing fitting concave portion 41, a positioning part 42 shaped inan inner flange is formed at one side end boarder of the axial directionand the sliding bearing portion 32 to be fit in the bearing fittingconcave portion 41 is positioned.

The sliding bearing portion 32 is made of a synthetic resin mainlycomposed of PPS, and its outline form is substantially the same as thebearing fitting concave portion 41. Further, in detail, a shape of thesliding bearing portion 32 as viewed from the axial direction issubstantially the same as the shape of the bearing fitting concaveportion 41 as viewed from the axial direction, upper and lower heightsof the sliding bearing portion 32 are the same as or slightly lower thanthe upper and lower heights of the bearing fitting concave portion 41,and an upper end surface 32 a of the sliding bearing portion 32 is onthe same level as the upper end surface 31 a of the bearing table 31 oris located slightly lower than the upper end surface 31 a of the bearingtable 31 upon fitting the sliding bearing portion 32 in the bearingfitting concave portion 41. In addition, the thickness of the slidingbearing portion 32 in the axial direction is substantially the same as adistance between a side end surface 31 b at the side where thepositioning part 42 of the bearing table 31 and an inner side endsurface 42 a of the positioning part 42, and an outer side end surface32 b of the sliding bearing portion 32 that is positioned by fitting thesliding bearing portion 32 in the bearing fitting concave portion 41 andabutting the sliding bearing portion 32 against the positioning part 42is on the substantially same level as the side end surface 31 b of thebearing table 31.

On the sliding bearing portion 32, the rotating shaft S is insertedinside thereof and the acceptance portion 51 for supporting thisrotating shaft S is formed. This acceptance portion 51 is formed so thatits inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of therotating shaft S. In the meantime, the sliding bearing of the presentembodiment is an oil-less bearing using a lubricating ability of thesliding bearing portion 32 itself made of a synthetic resin.

In this sliding bearing portion 32, a projection part 34 that isprotruded upward on the upper end surface 32 a is secured by the coverportion 33 as welded with pressure downward, and the detail thereof willbe described below.

The projection part 34 that is protruded upward on the upper end surface32 a of the sliding bearing portion 32 is formed in such a manner thatan upper end portion 34 a of the projection part 34 is located upperthan the upper end surface 31 a of the bearing table 31 upon fitting thesliding bearing portion 32 in the bearing fitting concave portion 41.The projection part 34 according to the present embodiment is formed asprotruded from the upper end surface 31 a of the bearing table 31 by 0.3mm.

On the other hand, the cover portion 33 is shaped in a flat plate, thecover portion 33 is formed so that its length is made longer than thelength in a right and left direction of the bearing fitting concaveportion 41 (a horizontal direction orthogonal to the axial direction),and a fixing device insert hole 61 is formed in the vicinity of theopposite side end portions in a right and left direction. In addition, afixing hole 43 is formed on the upper end surface 31 a of the bearingtable 31 corresponding to the fixing device insert hole 61.

Upon fixing the sliding bearing portion 32 on the bearing table 31, atfirst, fitting the sliding bearing portion 32 into the bearing fittingconcave portion 41 of the bearing table 31 from the upper part andabutting it against the positioning part 42, the sliding bearing portion32 is positioned. Then, the flat-platy cover portion 33 is arrangedupward and a fixing device 35 is inserted into the fixing device inserthole 61 of the cover portion 33 from the upper part so as to screw thefixing device 35 through the fixing hole 43 formed on the upper endsurface 31 a of the bearing table 31. In this case, the projection part34 formed on the upper end surface 32 a of the sliding bearing portion32 is located upper than the upper end surface 31 a of the bearing table31, so that when the flat-platy cover portion 33 is attached on theupper end surface 31 a of the bearing table 31, the projection part 34is crashed not only by elastic deformation but also by plasticdeformation, and thereby, the sliding bearing portion 32 is solidly putand fixed between the bearing table 31 and the cover portion 33.

In addition, in the sliding bearing A according to the ninth embodiment,two projection parts 34 are disposed in parallel in the axial direction.These two projection parts 34 are provided respectively at the oppositesides of a portion where the acceptance portion 51 of the slidingbearing portion 32 is formed as viewed from a flat plane. Thereby, it ispossible to reduce deformation of the acceptance portion 51 and loweringof a rotation efficiency of the rotating shaft S can be prevented.Further, a fixing force is obtained at the both right and left sides, sothat the sliding bearing portion 32 can be safely fixed.

According to the above-described configuration, the sliding bearing A isstructured by using the bearing table 31 made of aluminum die-castingforming the trapezoidal bearing fitting concave portion 41 thereon andthe sliding bearing portion 32 with the same shape as this bearingfitting concave portion 41, and thereby, it is possible to make afitting portion of the bearing table 31 and the sliding bearing portion32 (namely, the outer surface of the sliding bearing portion 32 and theinner surface of the bearing fitting concave portion 41 of the bearingtable 31) not into a curved surface but into a flat surface. As aresult, accuracy of measuring and accuracy of management of measuringare improved.

In the next place, with reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, a tenthembodiment of the present invention will be described below. The slidingbearing A according to this embodiment is provided with a seal (or afilter) so as to be available in an adverse environment that dust isfloating in air.

As shown in FIG. 15, at the opposite end portions in the axial directionof the sliding bearing portion 32, a concave portion 53 opening to theoutside is formed on the acceptance portion 51 across the entireperiphery of the inner surface, and a filter for preventing dust 54 madeof a polyester film is provided on this concave portion 53 so as toclosely contact the rotating shaft S. The concave portion 53 is formedas a square as viewed in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 16,however, the shape of the concave portion 53 is not particularlylimited.

Thus, no foreign matter gets mixed in the acceptance portion 51 of thesliding bearing, so that it is possible to hold the rotating shaft Sstably for a long period of time.

Further, in the elevator of the present invention, all of theabove-described tension adjuster, jumping-out prevention member, andsliding bearing may be provided. In addition, the elevator of thepresent invention may be configured so as to have the above-describedjumping-out prevention member and sliding bearing.

The elevator of the present invention is based on the inventionsdisclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-120712 (filed on Apr.23, 2002), Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-120713 (filed on Apr.23, 2002), and Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-182036 (filed onJun. 21, 2002).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, the tension adjuster forsubstantially equalizing the tensions of respective suspenders by actingon the respective suspenders located between the suspender outlet of theelevator body and the winder is provided, so that it is possible to holdthe elevating/lowering section by the independent plural suspenderswithout inclination. As a result, the elevating/lowering section can bemoved up and down in a stabilized attitude and safety is enhancedagainst cutting and dropping of the suspender. In addition, the presentinvention can provide the elevator, whereby the belt suspender can beprevented from being twisted when the elevating/lowering section turnsover while lowering, the accuracy of measuring and the accuracy ofmanagement of measuring of the rotating shaft of the winder areimproved, and the shaft can be held stably for a long period of time.

1. An elevator comprising an elevator body secured to a buildingstructure and provided with a winder for winding a plurality ofsuspenders, and an elevating/lowering section being suspended to movefreely up and down by the plurality of suspenders led out from thesuspender outlet of the elevator body; wherein the elevator furthercomprises a tension adjuster for substantially equalizing the tensionsof respective suspenders by acting on the respective suspenders locatedbetween the suspender outlet of the elevator body and the winder.
 2. Theelevator according to claim 1, wherein the tension adjuster is providedwith a change-direction member for changing a direction of the suspenderto move freely for each suspender between the suspender outlet of theelevator body and the winder, and a spring body with a substantiallyequal spring constant for adding a return force corresponding to themovement of each change-direction member thereto, respectively.
 3. Theelevator according to claim 1, wherein there are two suspenders, thetension adjuster is provided with a change-direction member for changinga direction of the suspender for each suspender between the suspenderoutlet of the elevator body and the winder, and the change-directionmembers of respective suspenders united into one body by the same shaftis provided with a support member for supporting the shaft to swingfreely with a center portion between the change-direction members ofthis shaft as a supporting point.
 4. The elevator according to claim 1,wherein there are two suspenders, a first change-direction member forchanging the direction of the suspender between the suspender outlet ofthe elevator body and the winder is provided, the tension adjustercomprises second change-direction members located between the firstchange-direction member and the winder, which change the direction ofthe suspender and are united into one body each other by the same shaft,and a support member for supporting the shaft to swing freely with acenter portion between the second change-direction members of the shaftas a supporting point.
 5. The elevator according to claim 4, wherein thesecond change-direction member is provided with a spring body, which ismovably provided in an opposite direction of a support side of thesupport member and which applies a force to the opposite direction ofthe support side of the support member together with the shaft; and thesecond change-direction member is further provided with a switchoperating as abutting against the shaft when the tension of thesuspender is made small and the second change-direction member moveswith the force of the spring body applied thereto so as to stop windingoff of the suspender from the suspender by this switch.
 6. The elevatoraccording to claim 4, wherein in the first change-direction member, theshaft is held to move freely by a spring body to apply a force to theopposite direction of the side pressed by the tension of the suspender;and the first change-direction member is provided with a switchoperating as abutting against the shaft when a force more than a settension is applied to the suspender and the shaft pushes down the springbody to move the spring body so as to stop winding of the suspender intothe winder by this switch.
 7. The elevator according to claim 3, whereinthe change-direction member has a rotating body rotating with the shaftinserted therethrough, and a shaft inserted portion of the rotating bodyis shaped in a taper so that its diameter is the smallest at thesubstantial center portion and the diameter becomes gradually largertoward the opposite sides.
 8. The elevator according to claim 4, whereinthe second change-direction member has a rotating body rotating with theshaft inserted therethrough, and a shaft inserted portion of therotating body is shaped in a taper so that its diameter is the smallestat the substantial center portion and the diameter becomes graduallylarger toward the opposite sides.
 9. The elevator according to claim 1,wherein the two suspenders are two belts and the elevator is providedwith a jumping-out prevention member for preventing each suspender fromjumping out to the outside of the elevating/lowering section when theelevating/lowering section turns over in a direction to wind these twosuspenders.
 10. The elevator according to claim 9, wherein thejumping-out prevention member comprises a wall body that is disposedalong the side surface at the outside of a suspender attached portionfor attaching the suspender of the elevating/lowering section.
 11. Theelevator according to claim 9, wherein the jumping-out prevention membercomprises a bar member that is arranged in a substantially horizontaldirection at the outside of the suspender attached portion for attachingthe suspender of the elevating/lowering section.
 12. The elevatoraccording to claim 9, wherein the jumping-out prevention membercomprises a bar member that is arranged in a substantially verticaldirection at the outside of the suspender attached portion for attachingthe suspender of the elevating/lowering section.
 13. The elevatoraccording to claim 1, wherein a bearing fitting concave portion openingupward is formed on a bearing table to be used as a rotating shaft ofthe winder; a sliding bearing portion forming an acceptance portionthrough which the rotating shaft is inserted is fit in the bearingfitting concave portion; and a sliding bearing for securing the slidingbearing portion fit in the bearing fitting concave portion from theupper part therein by a cover portion is mounted; and wherein thebearing fitting concave portion and the sliding bearing portion areformed in a multiangular as viewed from an axial direction.
 14. Theelevator according to claim 13, wherein a projection part to be weldedwith pressure downward on an upper end portion of the sliding bearingportion by a cover portion is provided at a place evading the rotatingshaft as viewed from a flat plane.
 15. The elevator according to claim14, wherein the plural projection parts are linearly provided insubstantially parallel.
 16. The elevator according to claim 13, whereina concave portion opening to the side is formed at both ends in theaxial direction and across the entire periphery of the acceptanceportion of the sliding bearing portion, and a filter for preventing dustis provided on the concave portion so as to closely contact the rotatingshaft.
 17. The elevator according to claim 9, wherein a bearing fittingconcave portion opening upward is formed on a bearing table to be usedas a rotating shaft of the winder; a sliding bearing portion forming anacceptance portion through which the rotating shaft is inserted is fitin the bearing fitting concave portion; and a sliding bearing forsecuring the sliding bearing portion fit in the bearing fitting concaveportion from the upper part therein by a cover portion is mounted; andwherein the bearing fitting concave portion and the sliding bearingportion are formed in a multiangular as viewed from an axial direction.18. The elevator according to claim 17, wherein a projection part to bewelded with pressure downward on an upper end portion of the slidingbearing portion by a cover portion is provided at a place evading therotating shaft as viewed from a flat plane.
 19. The elevator accordingto claim 18, wherein the plural projection parts are linearly providedin substantially parallel.
 20. The elevator according to claim 17,wherein a concave portion opening to the side is formed at both ends inthe axial direction and across the entire periphery of the acceptanceportion of the sliding bearing portion, and a filter for preventing dustis provided on the concave portion so as to closely contact the rotatingshaft.